75-Year-Old Visually Impaired Farmer Offers to Donate Cocoa Price Increase Back to Government

• Francis Asiedu Boafo, a 75-year-old visually impaired cocoa farmer from Kokodei, has expressed disappointment over the recent cocoa price hike
• Despite a 62.58% increase in the producer price of cocoa for the 2025/2026 season, Boafo views the change as insignificant
• In a sarcastic tone, Boafo has declared his intention to donate the GH¢128.75 per bag of cocoa back to the government

Francis Asiedu Boafo, a 75-year-old visually impaired cocoa farmer from Kokodei in the Ashanti region, has expressed his disappointment with the recent increase in cocoa prices.

On Monday, August 4, 2025, the government increased the producer price of cocoa from US$3,100 to US$5,040 per tonne for the 2025/2026 season.

This increment represents a 62.58 per cent increase from the previous season's price of US$3,100 per tonne, translating into GH¢128.75 per bag of cocoa.

Despite this, Boafo described the increment as insignificant and has declared his intention to donate it back to the government.

Read also

Cocoa farmer calls out Mahama over new cocoa prices, destroys cocoa pods

Speaking to Kumasi-based Akoma FM, the 75-year-old visually impaired cocoa farmer sarcastically urged the Finance Minister, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, to establish a foundation so that he can donate the GH¢128.75 into it.

"I want to ask Dr Ato Forson to form a foundation and name it Dr Ato Forson Foundation. When he establishes the Dr Ato Forson Foundation, I will donate GH¢128.75 from every bag of cocoa I sell to let him know that without the GH¢128.75, we can still survive," he said.

Watch the video below:

Finance Minister explains new cocoa price increment

Dr Ato Forson explained that the new cocoa producer price now stands at GH¢51,660 per tonne, or GH¢3,228.75 per bag (64 kilograms), based on an average exchange rate of GH¢10.25 to the US Dollar.

He disclosed that the FOB value for the 2025/2026 season is set at US$7,200 per tonne, with the producer price reflecting 70 per cent of this value.

Read also

Ghana government increases cocoa producer price by 62.58 per cent

This price increase aligns with President John Mahama's commitment to paying cocoa farmers 70 per cent of the Free-On-Board (FOB) value.

According to the Dr Ato Forson, the boost will significantly benefit Ghana’s cocoa farmers, who are vital to the nation's economy.

How farmers will bemefit from new price

Dr. Forson further explained that the increment marks a major improvement from the previous season, when the producer price was set at US$3,100 per tonne.

He added that the new price is expected to improve the livelihoods of cocoa farmers and support the growth of Ghana’s cocoa industry.

The new producer price will take effect from Thursday, August 7, 2025, ushering in a new phase for Ghana's cocoa sector.

Young cocoa farmer rejects galamsey

Meanwhile, YEN.com.gh reported earlier that a young Ghanaian cocoa farmer in the Oti region shared the reasons why he would not allow illegal mining on his lands.

Read also

Electoral Commission to hold Akwatia by-election on September 2

The cocoa farmer mentioned that he made much money from harvesting and selling his produce to neighbouring Togo.

In a video on X, the man explained that he sold 64kg bags of cocoa for GH¢8,000 in Togo instead of the GH¢3,000 offered in Ghana.

Source: YEN.com.gh